Napping event to help students relax
During finals, many students stop sleeping and eating properly, adding to their already heightened stress levels. That’s why students should stop by the University Health Services‘ Stress-Free Zone to nap, drink water, eat fruit, get a massage, listen to music, color and just basically relax.
The Stress-Free Zone is a free, drop-in event, and will be held in Memorial Union on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 2-6 p.m. (Check TITU.)
The event will give students examples of little things they can do — that don’t take much time out of studying — tolower their stress levelduring finals. For example, recent research confirms what many students have known all along — naps help. In the short run, a nap can restore alertness and improve recall of material just studied.
“There is no substitute for a good night’s sleep, but a 10- to 20-minute nap is known to improve work performance,” says Rob Sepich, UHS stress management counselor. “And students shouldn’t worry if they can’t fall asleep during a planned power nap. Just relaxing while sitting or lying down can provide a great break from studies and worries.”
Sepich warns that if the nap lasts 30 minutes or more, students will probably be groggy for up to an hour afterward. He recommends that students should nap sitting up or lying down on their side or back, rather than slouching over a table, so that they can breathe easily.
Other health tips for finals include:
- Breathe deeply and slowly for three minutes as you sit down to study
- Reduce stimulants — heightened stress is already producing enough adrenaline
- Sleep — at least four to five hours a night — will help keep you awake when you need to be
- Eat healthy — go for balance and moderation in what you consume
- Keep an optimistic focus — confidence can lead to success
- Stretch often to reduce muscle tension and to restore mental alertness
- Take brief breaks — spaced practice is better than massed practice
- Think “big picture” — wisdom is more important than knowledge
- Keep your expectations realistic and be gentle with yourself.
- Begin it now — dive into your most challenging work now instead of tomorrow.